AIKEN --- Republican U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson touted his party's alternative health care plan at a town hall meeting Saturday.
"I just think it's wrong what we have here," he said as he picked up a stack of papers he said was the Democrats' proposed H.R. 3200 bill.
The Republicans' alternative plan, Empowering Patients First Act, also known as H.R. 3400, is a better choice, he said to about 150 people at Oakwood-Windsor Elementary School in Aiken.
"Insurance companies don't want this but, hey, we need to be representing the public," he said.
The plan focuses on accessibility, affordability, choice, innovation, quality and portability, he said. The proposals include creating health courts in each state and "adding affirmative defense through best practices set by physicians"; prohibiting the use of funds for abortions; and providing individuals and families with tax credits and deductions to purchase health insurance of their choice.
He also answered questions about jobs, the energy bill, and the Copenhagen treaty, a plan to limit carbon emissions that would replace the Kyoto Protocol, which the United States never signed. Most of the questions, however, were about health care.
Mike and Sandra Holt of Aiken were among those in attendance.
"We've been watching the news and have been very concerned about the way things have been going in Washington," Mr. Holt said. "It's good to know there's a politician who feels the same way we do and is trying to do something about it."
Debbie Osmundsen of Aiken said that insurance reform is what Congress should be addressing.
"What we need is insurance reform. We shouldn't be forced to provide health insurance for everyone," she said. "Health insurance should be a privilege, not a right."
Pete Widener of Montmorenci said that it's a citizen's duty to attend town hall meetings.
"I feel like every American should contribute to these meetings," he said. "Sometimes, we are too busy to follow what's happening every day, but these meetings give you a lot of good information and it gets you involved. There should be a movement to get involved."
Mr. Wilson's 2nd Congressional District includes parts of Aiken County.
Reach Nikasha Dicks at (706) 823-3336 or nikasha.dicks@augustachronicle.com.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010. All Rights Reserved.
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You lie!
Yes lawyerdude, we know who he is. Are you emulating him? I think most people do when they hear our current president speak.
Run Joe,Run Joe,Run Joe. PLEASEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!
look at his eyes he is a evil one.
Wow, this guy is the best people of that district thought they could fine.
I agree, concernednative. It's unusual, but sometimes the best person IS elected. I'm certain many will try to get rid of him for just that reason.
ispy, Wilson already holds the office with a two year term. He has to run every election cycle to keep his job. They used to teach that in government schools.
Ispy, don't worry he is and yes he will win. Ain't it great. Another Rep. who doesn't believe anything from that jive a-- Obumbler.
I think ispy is referring to the presidency.
Based on what I understand both Obama and Wilson are correct, to a degree. It may be written in the health care legislation that only legal American citizens are eligible for this coverage, but the US Supreme Court has ruled that public entities such as enrollment into a public school, can not be denied just because they are here illegally, the federal heath care program will fall under this ruling. Obama is correct in stating that the health care program will be written for US Citizens only. However, Obama was LAW PROFESSOR, so he was (or should have been) aware of the court ruling. Bottom line - illegal aliens we be able to receive free health care under the new health care program. Even though I disagree with the program I don't want the daughter of some illegal immigrant worker/alien to not be able to receive any needed health care ...aren't they getting it anyway/
No matter what side you are on, this country needs health care reform. Small businesses will go out of business are never get started because they cannot afford to provide health care for their workers, and bigger companies are not far behind. Costs are increasing for health care exponentially, and they will never slow down until we get a plan with a public option.
More than anything else, what the taxpayer in this country needs is for the government to get out of the health care business so most Americans can afford it without mortgaging the farm....which the government wishes to take. Public option? That should just about be the straw that breaks the country's back.
Niko, you are 100% on target, but I have not seen where Congress have addressed controlling all of these law suits. Almost every morning while getting ready for work I turn the TV on the while eating breakfast, and it seems like every other commercial begins with "have you or a loved one been ...contact the offices of ___." This is major contributor to why malpractice insurance is so high, which in turn forces the medial community has raised their rates and to have you take so many tests (which also add to the cost).
The government can not run a war and we have had a military for over 200 year, what makes one think they run health care?
H.R. 3400 is one of the finest papers ever produced by the Insurance Industry for the CONServatives. It is a comprehensive plan that changes nothing and even adds a few programs to enhance the industrys profits. One thjings it does do is provide funding for some abortions. What I don't understand is, if abortions are so wrong, why are some permitted in the plan? Aren't we a nation of one-size-fits-all or better yet zero-tolerance? In any event read HR 3400 and see what wonderful changes it suggests to keep our beloved insurance companys happy.
Abortions have always been permitted, the Hyde Amendment is a joke. It's lip service to appease people and it's meaningless.
Still A GOP, I do agree with you that tort reform is a necessity to this process. If someone has received poor medical care then they have a right to due process through the courts; but that process must be fair & equitable, so we need to limit these excessive punitive damages. We can easily figure out what a person has lost and then make them whole, but not multi-millionaires.
Nikie boy, small businesses will definitely be laying off employees, going out of business or forcng employees into gov't run programs under the DIM health care bills. BimbObama stated himself that gov't run health care will drive private companies out of business-the last thing those who are satisfied with their insurance want or need. More regulation of the health insurance industry IS needed however, but NOT government run health care that will ruin this nation's economy and take more of our freedom away (but isn't that BimbObama's goal?). Hell, they can't even run a cash for clunkers program or postal service,so why think they can run a health care program? The Baucus bill is one HUGE package of more taxes-just what we need, right? One way to make tort reform work is to make the loser pay and that ain't always the "injured". Would stop most of the frivolous suits.
Dissman, how many new taxes do you see in HR 3400? In the Baucus bill, I see taxes on small businesses, individuals, prosthetics and on and on and on. As for making money, why is it that the taxes in the bill(s) would begin immediately on passage but gov't health care begin in 2013 (or is it 2015?), so whp's bilking who with more revenue to waste?
Concerned, thanks for setting whippingpost and the idiot apex straight. I guess they did not learn much, in those non-government school.
Jacko, small business is already doing that under the current Republicant "no can do" philosophy of health care. In case you have not noticed, health care costs continue to increase, as they have over the last 15 years. Where have you been? Working for an insurance company.